Bookkeepers Bedlington Northumberland (NE22): If you run an online store, are a sole trader or operate a small business in Bedlington, you're responsible for maintaining accurate, "true and fair" accounting and financial records for at least 6 years to comply with the 2006 Companies Act. Failure to produce these detailed records may leave you facing Company Director disqualification, as well as a hefty fine. There's a substantial investment of time involved with keeping these financial recordings on your own behalf, and it can be more economical to employ a professional bookkeeper or accountant, especially if you consider the fact that according to Accounting Today over forty percent of small business owners spend at least 80 hours every year doing their accounts.
If just the thought of producing balance sheets, tracking assets and liabilities, preparing profit, loss and financial statements or filling out ledgers fills you with panic, then it is high time to contact a bookkeeper in Bedlington for assistance.
BOOKKEEPER OR ACCOUNTANT?
For many small business owners in Bedlington, the first question that springs to mind when faced with this challenge is "Just what is the distinction between a bookkeeper and an accountant?" In the old days it was typically considered to be beneath the experience, skill set and qualifications of an accountant to do bookkeeping, however because of significant software improvements over the past decade, many bookkeeping duties will now be taken on by accountancy companies in Bedlington. For many accounting firms it's now quite common to charge a fixed rate for bookkeeping services, so that they're in line with the normal charges of a typical bookkeeper in Bedlington. This is fantastic news for business owners in Bedlington since it gives a wider variety of competition within this sector and can make your bookkeeping costs cheaper than initially thought.
It is essentially the standard of training and qualification that is required for each discipline, that demonstrates the big difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant in Bedlington. At least an accounting degree with additional training in the field of taxes and other business and financial management, will typically be held by an accountant. While having a pretty good understanding of such procedures, a bookkeeper in Bedlington might not have the same levels of training and experience, or hold these qualifications.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BOOKKEEPER
The recording of daily transactions of any business enterprise in Bedlington, describes the act of bookkeeping in the simplest of terms. This is likely to include, but is by no means limited to;
- Logging the receipt of invoices and making certain payment is completed on time.
- The billing of customers for goods or work completed.
- VAT submissions and recording.
- Logging of all financial incomings; electronic, cash and card payments included.
- Highlighting any discrepancies in the financial accounts and rectifying them.
- Ensuring accounting and double-entry bookkeeping practices are followed.
- Monthly reporting and reconciliations.
- Payroll services.
Dependant upon service level you require, e.g. you are happy to carry out the larger part of your bookkeeping work; a professional bookkeeper might only be necessary for double-checking your records on a fixed schedule. This should really be each month as a bare minimum, as this allows for any mistakes or problems to be detected and corrected quickly. If you're able to stay up-to-date with your day to day trading and financial transactions, this compromise can sometimes be the most cost effective.
Whatever the circumstances are with your business or company, if you're currently considering hiring a bookkeeper in Bedlington, it is a good bet that you may be stressed with the process of recording your financial data. A good bookkeeping company will help you out with everything from producing expense reports, stocktaking and invoicing, to linking the latest software with your business accounts to seamlessly process all of your financial data.
One of the most important elements of good bookkeeping practice, is being able to effectively reconcile accounts payable with cash flow. Which means that instead of paying a bill right away, or waiting for a final notice, which many small businesses are guilty of, your bookkeeper will prioritise bill payments to times when your finances are in good shape and buoyant. This is not only to make certain that your business is financially sound at all times, but also to keep you in the good books of those people who supply you with services or materials. When you're mostly focussed on the smooth running of your company, this is a juggling act that you may find challenging to accomplish on your own.
Having someone who is unconnected to the business cast an independent eye over your financial dealings, is another added benefit of using a professional bookkeeper in Bedlington if you are a sole trader, or for your small business. It's quite possible that an unprejudiced assessment like this will highlight business trends and patterns that have been missed previously. A scenario where a keen eyed bookkeeper flags an area of the business which is dropping off in profits, or spots a new opportunity that may prove worthwhile, is not at all an unusual occurrence. Spotting these key performance indicators (KPI's) is crucial for enabling growth in any enterprise in Bedlington.
Pursuing late payments can be an humiliating scenario for you, if you give out invoices in your business operations. Some of that awkwardness can be removed by having a person outside your business situation visit your customers or make that phone call. There are legal methods a professional bookkeeper can make use of, if you have problems with a consistent late payer, and these can help to clear up the situation before the issue ends up in a claims court proceeding.
SOLE TRADER'S BOOKKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
There are some pretty uncomplicated sole trader bookkeeping requirements, which are laid out by law. A sole trader is expected to keep records of expenditure and income on a month by month basis and save all invoices and receipts. It is still recommended that you retain the expert services of a bookkeeper, even if this might sound simple enough. Advising you on what bonafide business expenses you are able to claim back, a specialised sole trader bookkeeper in Bedlington will look after your financial dealings with HMRC. This could include items such as computing equipment, bills and rent if you work from home, stationery, consumables and advertising. For more in-depth advice, speak to your bookkeeper, and see how they can help your business to flourish and grow in the future.
BOOKKEEPING FOR ONLINE TRADERS
Specialised bookkeepers are often necessary for certain bookkeeping niches. You will need a bookkeeper in Bedlington who understands multi-currency processing, online payments, exchange rate transfers and cross-border and international taxes, if you operate a store online for example. If the same store sells goods you hold or produce, then monitoring stock on a 24 hours a day basis is a massive concern, after all the internet never sleeps, therefore nor should your bookkeeping services and software.
It's also possible to establish a virtual office, which can be utilised in combination with your bookkeeping service. This enables an online only business or sole trader to have a postal address and telephone service to provide a physical connection to their customers. It's certainly worth discussing this possibility if it is something that could benefit you, although not all bookkeeping businesses in Bedlington will offer this option.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
It's not necessary for a qualified bookkeeper in Bedlington to have a university degree, and a lot of the bookkeeping industry qualifications are held at Diploma or Certificate level. There's a growing number of courses available online, although bookkeeping qualifications can still be obtained through further education universities and colleges.
There are two key training and certification organisations which represent bookkeepers:
The AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians): Entitled to use the letters AATQB, a certified member of the AAT or Association of Accounting Technicians will have been provided with a training schedule and advanced qualifications in bookkeeping practice. This guarantees a decent level of service to their clients which is backed by the association, and permits them to become a authorised AAT bookkeeper. To preserve the values and integrity of the AAT, if an AAT bookkeeper is found to have broken the code of conduct or has a complaint against them, they could be subject to tribunal and disciplinary processes.
The ICB or Institute of Certified Bookkeepers: Keeping their members current with the latest trends and developments, the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) is the largest organisation of its kind on the planet, providing accreditation to certified bookkeepers, together with training and reference material.
You are able to check the qualifications of any bookkeeper on the register of AAT or ICB members on their respective websites. Prior to hiring the services of any bookkeeping company in Bedlington, it is definitely a great idea to undertake such checks.
Outsourced Bookkeeping Bedlington
All businesses in Bedlington should understand the significance of bookkeeping. It helps business people monitor the money left in the bank, the sum total of their liabilities and assets, their payables/receivables, and so forth. With the business owner having to handle a lot of concerns and issues while running a business, the task of carrying out the bookkeeping is frequently outsourced to freelance bookkeepers or a bookkeeping company in Bedlington.
If a company in Bedlington employs a bookkeeper so as to join their ranks, the company will have to spend a substantial amount of money in training the person for the purpose of carrying out the bookkeeping tasks. In addition to that, there's no guarantee that he or she will stay for long in the company. In those circumstances, the company will have squandered a considerable amount of money. Aside from that, companies will have to look for solutions to provide benefits and incentives to keep the employee in place. These are just a handful of the reasons behind business organisations enlisting the services of bookkeeping companies and professional bookkeepers in Bedlington.
Business owners in Bedlington can look for the following options with the bookkeeping company that provides outsourcing services. Check and find out how much savings he can enjoy by outsourcing the bookkeeping work. Because the expenses related to hiring and training the in-house staff is a significant concern, it would be prudent on the part of business owner in Bedlington to focus on an outsourcing company that can offer savings. Try to get first hand information regarding the systems and methods employed by the company involved in bookkeeping services. It's very important to get high quality accounting services and greater security for your financial data. By quality, we mean reliable, precise, and real-time bookkeeping data delivered within the set timeframe. In short, the company that offers bookkeeping services in Bedlington should have a well protected system that can be trusted and relied on.
These specialist bookkeeping companies in Bedlington should be able to customise their bookkeeping services with that of the client company's existing bookkeeping system. They should be able to ask for assistance from these bookkeepers as and when they need the necessary support and backup.
Cash Flow Analysis
Cash flow analysis is an important instrument for businesses to gauge their financial health. The responsibility of undertaking cash flow analysis for businesses lies with bookkeepers. To do this, it is necessary to track the inflow and outflow of cash for the business over a specific time frame, generally quarterly or monthly. The bookkeeper's task is to assist the businessperson in comprehending their current financial condition, detecting any cash flow problems, and planning for the future.
The creation of a clear picture of a company's financial health involves categorizing and reconciling all cash transactions, such as sales, expenses and investments, by the bookkeeper in the analysis. A crucial aspect of cash flow analysis is to predict the cash flow for the coming months or years, enabling companies to make informed decisions and avoid potential cash flow issues.
An accurate and thorough cash flow analysis is an essential tool for any business looking to manage their finances effectively.
Tax Returns
You might need to file a self-assessment tax return if you're self-employed or have a small business in the United Kingdom. This can be a challenging task, especially if you are not familiar with the process. A decent bookkeeper can help you keep your records organised and prepare your tax return accurately and on time.
There are numerous benefits to employing a bookkeeper to do your tax returns. They'll have experience and expertise to ensure the correct completion of your return. This will help you avoid any problems with HMRC, such as penalties or interest charges. Second, the use of a bookkeeper can save you a lot of time, hassle and stress. They'll look after all of the calculations and paperwork, so you can focus on running your business. Thirdly, Bedlington bookkeepers can provide you with essential advice on tax planning and financial strategy. This can help to maximise your profits and minimise your tax liability. (70193)
Bookkeepers Near Bedlington
Also find: Choppington bookkeepers, Stannington bookkeepers, Scotland Gate bookkeepers, Shankhouse bookkeepers, Clifton bookkeepers, Guide Post bookkeepers, Cambois bookkeepers, Hepscott bookkeepers, East Cramlington bookkeepers, High Pit bookkeepers, Loansdean bookkeepers, West Sleekburn bookkeepers, Mitford bookkeepers and more. All these locations are serviced by local bookkeepers. Such accessibility guarantees that both businesses and individuals can effortlessly locate the financial assistance needed to successfully manage their accounts. Bookkeeping estimates are available to area residents and businesses with a click here.
Bedlington Bookkeeper Tasks
Most bookkeepers in Bedlington will be prepared to provide you with the following accounting and bookkeeping services: mobile bookkeeping services, charity bookkeeping Bedlington, maintaining fixed asset registers, partnership returns, accounting and bookkeeping services in Bedlington, bookkeeping for freelancers, bookkeeping services for tradesmen, independent bookkeeping services, bookkeeping services for sole traders, Kashflow bookkeeping Bedlington, accountancy packages, Xero bookkeeping, bookkeeping services, letting agent bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, bookkeeping and accounting in Bedlington, off-site bookkeeping, bookkeeping services for societies, small business tax returns, company cash books, corporation tax returns, bookkeeping for home-based businesses, bookkeeping for limited companies, management reports in Bedlington, bookkeeping for startups, franchise bookkeeping, bank reconciliations, bookkeeping for shops in Bedlington, assistance with registering for self-employment in Bedlington, cheap bookkeeping services Bedlington, and more. These are just an example of the duties that are carried out by local bookkeepers. Bedlington companies will tell you about their whole range of bookkeeping services. If there happen to be additional Bedlington bookkeeper requirements that you want but can't see here, you should list them on the QUOTE FORM provided. We'll get back to you with details as soon as we can.
More Bedlington Services: Naturally, when you are in need of a bookkeeper in Bedlington, Northumberland, you will probably need all types of different services and aside from a bookkeeper in Bedlington, Northumberland, you might also need promotional videos in Bedlington, network, database & IT support in Bedlington, cloud & hosting services in Bedlington, card processing in Bedlington, HR consulting in Bedlington, web design in Bedlington, business consulting in Bedlington, social media marketing in Bedlington, a marketing agency in Bedlington, pay per click advertising in Bedlington, EPOS in Bedlington, telemarketing in Bedlington, digital marketing services in Bedlington, financial advice in Bedlington, telephone system services in Bedlington, an accountant in Bedlington, Ecommerce assistance in Bedlington, and other different Bedlington specialists.
Bookkeepers Bedlington - Bookkeeping Quotations Bedlington - Cheap Bookkeeping Bedlington - Bookkeeping Bedlington - Sole Trader Bookkeeping Bedlington - Bookkeeper Bedlington - Bookkeepers Near Bedlington - Sole Trader Bookkeepers Bedlington - Bookkeeping Accountants Bedlington